The Alsace: 4-day workshop for beginner/intermediate photographers in France

Join Imagine Your World (www.imagine-your-world.com) on a 4-day landscape and urban photography workshop in the Alsace geared towards beginner to intermediate levels. Most new camera owners use very little of the potential of their cameras. This course will enable participants to get into the more creative modes of a camera and understand the basics like metering, focus, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. The workshop will offer many opportunities to shoot landscapes and urban images.

Located on France's eastern border with Germany, the Alsace is famous for its picturesque villages, churches and castles. Historic towns like Colmar, Ammerschwihr, Barr, Kaysersberg, Kienzheim, Niedermorschwihr, Riquewihr and Turkheim line up on or near the Alsatian Wine Route, reminding visitors of fairy tales told decades ago.

The town squares, cobble stone streets and houses found in the cities offer a truly unique chance to capture a remarkable architecture dating back centuries and indulge in culinary delights not offered anywhere else on earth. Vineyards, some founded during the Romans Empire, continue to produce some of the most noted dry Rieslings and aromatic Gewürztraminers in the world, along with excellent Pinot Noirs.

During the workshop, photographers will capture many of the area’s features at the best times of day and practice many hours in the field. When conditions are less perfect, they will have ample opportunities to discuss composition guidelines, lighting, lenses, camera functions, and "must have" accessories.

This workshop will begin in Turkheim near Colmar, the "Capital of Alsatian Wine." The town is known for its well preserved old town, numerous architectural landmarks and museums. The building style showcases eight centuries of Germanic and French influence and their respective expression. Located on the eastern edge of the Vosges Mountains, nearby Colmar has a sunny microclimate and is the second driest city in France, with an annual precipitation of just 550 mm.

The following topics will be covered during this 4 days hands-on workshop:

Accessories – how simple tools can help you to become a better photographer.

Capture the moment – take better pictures during your next vacation.

Get organized – how software can help you to archive and retrieve/find your images.

Bring your gear

It doesn’t matter if own a point-and-shoot or brand-new DSLR camera – bring what you have and learn how to take full control over your gear. (Please note: Since there are hundreds of camera models out there, don’t expect that we know all of them. You will learn the advantages of the program, aperture, macro, manual and bulb settings on a camera, but you should be able to set your camera accordingly.) If you have macro, wide angel or zoom lenses, bring them along. Furthermore, a tripod and a remote release can be very helpful for certain types of photography.

Be prepared

Getting to the best spot will often take some hiking. You should be comfortable walking for prolonged periods of time with your photo gear, water and food on cobble stone streets and nature trails over the course of the day, occasionally with some elevation gains or drops. You will enjoy the tour best if you bring well fitted, broken in shoes and clothing that can protect you and your gear from the elements. Some energy bars and water will help you to get through the day.

Lodging, Meals & Directions

Lodging, meals, snacks, transportation and entrance fees (if any) are not included in this workshop. The area features many hotels and restaurants from simple bed and breakfast to four-star lodging with half board included. Please consult with your travel agent to find the best fit. We recommend staying in Turkheim, a small city west of Colmar.

Group size

The minimum group size for this workshop to take place is four (4), the maximum is 12.

Reservations

Reservations are required for all workshops. We have a limited number of DSLR’s, mirrorless cameras and SD cards available for rent. If needed, please inquire at the time of booking to make sure one will be available. Please feel free to contact us here.

Price

The price for the 4-day guided workshop is 920 Euros per person; a deposit of 200 Euros is required to reserve your spot for this event. The balance is due 31 days prior to the start of the workshop.

Meeting Point

We will meet in front of the Hotel Auberge du Brand, 8 Grand'Rue, Turckheim, France.

Instructor

Bernd is an award-winning photographer whose career spans more than 30 years. While working as a full-time journalist and on assignments, images and articles appeared in many national and international publications in Germany and Western Europe.

Bernd has a passion for documentary and landscape photography. He leads expeditions and workshops throughout Europe and conducts photography workshops and seminars from beginner to Master Class. He is fluent in German and English. Instructions will be available in both languages.

Cancellation

The holding deposit is non-refundable and due if you decide to cancel your spot up to 31 days (61 days for international workshops) prior to the start of the workshop. Up to 62 days before a workshop you can reschedule and apply your deposit to a future workshop.

Since our workshops require a minimum number of participants, we reserve the right to cancel the workshop in the case of under-subscription. If we are forced to cancel an event, your registration will be transferred to another workshop of your choosing. However, we are not responsible for any additional expenses, without limitation, such as non-refundable air tickets, transportation or accommodation, incurred by you for preparing for the trip.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend buying travel insurance for this workshop. If you have to cancel the trip because of illness, injury or death of yourself or an immediate family member, travel or cancellation insurance usually protects all deposits and payments you have made, including third party fees for both air and land cost. Please ask your travel or insurance agent for advice.

Refunds for services not used

Imagine Your World does not offer refunds for unused portions of the workshop or any services offered by third parties (including, but not limited to, accommodations, meals, and trek arrangements.)

Legal Limitations/Independent Contractors

Imagine Your World may use independent contractors to provide guide services and other services during a tour. We assume no responsibility, however caused, for injury, loss or damage to persons or property in connection with any service provided during a workshop by our instructors or independent contractors or resulting directly from acts of God, force majeure, theft, civil disturbances, strikes, foreign or domestic government restrictions and/or regulations, and failure to arrive or depart as scheduled. By signing up for any workshop offered by Imagine Your World, client thereby agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions.

Indemnity

Client hereby indemnifies and holds Imagine Your World, its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, directors, officers, agents, employees, service providers, and suppliers harmless against any and all liabilities, claims, and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, arising from client's participation in any workshop or seminar.

Releases

Participants are solely responsible for obtaining model, property, and other releases (if necessary) in connection with any of our workshops or seminars, unless specifically stated in the workshop description.